Negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different mental health profiles

Released: 2022-08-18

The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on Canadians' mental health, but the impact was worse for people with mental health difficulties. The article "Profiles of mental health and their association with negative impacts and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Canadian perspective" extends previous research by uncovering the impacts of the pandemic on those with varying degrees of mental health difficulties.

The study is among the first to use nationally representative data to identify different mental health profiles of Canadian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults were classified into three groups based on their self-reported scores of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress: no mental health difficulties (65.70%), low-to-moderate mental health difficulties (25.52%),and severe mental health difficulties (8.78%). Identifying distinct profiles is important for providing insight into the shared symptom patterns of anxiety, depression and psychological distress.

Compared with individuals with no mental health difficulties, those with low-to-moderate and severe mental health difficulties were more likely to experience negative impacts due to the pandemic, such as emotional distress, difficulties meeting financial obligations or essential needs, loss of job/income, loneliness/isolation, and physical health problems. Individuals with low-to-moderate or severe mental health difficulties were also more likely to experience suicidal ideation compared with those with no mental health difficulties.

By identifying those at higher risk, these mental health profiles will help inform targeted interventions, initiatives and partnerships that are needed to support and promote the wellbeing of those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Products

The article "Profiles of mental health and their association with negative impacts and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Canadian perspective" is now available in the August 2022 online issue of Health Reports, Vol. 33, No. 8 (Catalogue number82-003-X).

This issue of Health Reports also contains the articles "Sex differences in suicide mortality in Newfoundland and Labrador: An observational study with medical examiner data from 1997 to 2016," and "The influence of removing the 10-minute bout requirement on the demographic, behaviour and health profiles of Canadian adults who meet the physical activity recommendations."

Contact information

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